www.nadfas.org.ukNADFAS REVIEW / AUTUMN201039ART IN ACTIONLeft:ChristopherLloyd in the hallwith part of hiscollectionAbove:Prints arefound throughoutOpposite:ThestudyChristopher, however, attachesparticular importance to the last of mychoices which turns out to have been awedding present. An early 17th-century gilded alabaster of Christ and theWoman of Samariaby the Flemishsculptor Nicolas Daems was given tothem by James Byam Shaw, the widelyrespected scholar and connoisseur of oldmaster drawings for many yearsassociated with the London firm ofColnaghi's in Old Bond Street, whoChristopher met when he was at ChristChurch. "It means so much to me, notonly because of my friendship with andadmiration for Jim from whom I learnt somuch, but also because I had neverbefore owned such a precious object."As we prepare toleave,Frances showsme her extraordinary ceramic collection.Consisting of highly coloured chargersand pots by notable contemporarydesigners, they congregate on tables andshelves throughout the house as acomplement and counterpoint to the artcollection. She asks me about damageand depreciation and I touch oninsurance values, conservation andsecurity and outline the Company'sspecialist approach to heritage buildingsand works of art. After such a relaxingday full of insight and anecdote, I findmyself almost apologetic, but Frances isquick to say how relieved she is to be withpeople who know and understand oldbuildings and art and although it is true tosay that, like most people, insurance is notat the top of their priority list, it is a realcomfort to be with a specialist.